Contributory Parent Visa (143 & 173)

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Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143 & 173)

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    Contributory Parent Visas: Live in Australia with Your Children

    The Contributory Parent Visas allow parents of settled Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia. This visa pathway is for parents who can make a higher financial contribution to offset the costs of their long-term stay.

    There are two key subclasses under this stream:

    • Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent (Permanent)
    • Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary)

    Who Can Apply?

    To be eligible for either the 143 or 173 visa:

    • You must be the parent of a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who is ā€˜settled’ in Australia.
    • You must pass the balance of family test: at least half of your children must live in Australia, or more of your children live in Australia than in any other single country.
    • You must be sponsored by an eligible child or another eligible sponsor approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
    • You must meet health and character requirements.

    Subclass 173 – Temporary Visa

    This is a two-year temporary visa, which allows parents to:

    • Live in Australia temporarily
    • Access Medicare
    • Work and study
    • Apply for the permanent Subclass 143 visa within the two-year validity

    This is a popular option for parents who want to spread the cost of the visa over time.

    Cost as of August 2025:

    • First instalment: AUD$3,395 (primary applicant) + AUD$1,700 (each adult secondary applicant)
    • Second instalment: AUD$29,730 per applicant

    Assurance of Support:

    $10,000 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each adult secondary applicant, held for 10 years.

    Subclass 143 – Permanent Visa

    This is the permanent pathway, allowing parents to:

    • Stay in Australia indefinitely
    • Work and study
    • Access Medicare
    • Apply for Australian citizenship once eligible

    You can either:

    • Apply directly for the 143 visa, or
    • Transition from a 173 temporary visa to the 143 visa during the two-year period

    Cost (direct application) as of August 2025:

    • First instalment: AUD$5,040 (primary applicant) + AUD$1,700 (each adult secondary applicant)
    • Second instalment: AUD$43,600 per applicant

    Assurance of Support (AoS)

    For both subclasses, an Assurance of Support is required:

    • AUD$10,000 for the main applicant
    • AUD$4,000 for each adult secondary applicant
    • The bond is held for 10 years and earns interest. It is refundable at the end of the period if no claims are made.

    Processing Time

    The current average processing time for the 143 visa is around 7-10 years, depending on individual circumstances and demand.

    Who Should Consider This Pathway?

    This visa is suitable for parents who:

    • Wish to permanently settle in Australia with their children
    • Can meet the financial commitments
    • Prefer a faster processing time compared to non-contributory parent visas (which can take up to 30 years)

    Need Help Applying?

    Contributory Parent visas involve complex eligibility and financial requirements. Our experienced migration team can guide you through the process and help determine the best visa strategy for your situation.

    Contact us today for expert assistance with your 143 or 173 visa application.

    What type of visa are you looking for?

    We are a team of immigration specialists guiding individuals, families and corporates who aspire to migrate to Australia. Our migration consultancy has a successful track record in visa approval, with a fair fee structure.

    Subclass 186 Frequently Asked Questions

    I want to apply for permanent residence based on Employer Nominated Sponsorship, Subclass 186 –what are the overall pathways?

    There are two application pathways for this category:

    Pathway One – 186 Temporary Residence Transition:

    Once 482 visa holders have been employed for two years out of the last 3 years on a 482 visa, which could have been with the same employer/sponsor or a combination of previous sponsor and current sponsor, they can apply for 186 Temporary Residence Transition. They must be sponsored on a 482 visa by their current employer who will nominate them in their Employer Nominated Sponsorship application, subclass 186 application.

    The visa holder can hold any occupation, both from the previous Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) and the current Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) so long as they hold a 482 visa.

    The application must be lodged before turning 45 years old, unless they meet specified exemptions. One of these is that their salary (net of superannuation) has met the high-income threshold in two of the last three years as applicable in the year they hold that visa. The current high-income threshold for 2024 is set at $175,000.

    Pathway Two – Direct Entry:

    The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL). The 186-visa applicant must complete a Skills Assessment from the assessing authority of that occupation and demonstrate that they have had at least three years of post-qualification work experience in that occupation. Applicants need to be under 45 years old at the time of application. There are no exemptions for age under 186 Direct Entry.

    In both Pathway One and Two, the employer has to present a range of documents to meet the requirements of the nomination. These include financial documents, position description, employment contract, organization chart, a statement about why the position is genuine, evidence that the salary is market related etc.

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